Ali and I have talked all Spring about what the kids on the soccer team will do all summer. He doesn’t want them to spend the summer on their cell phones or video game players, and neither do I. I wanted to update people on our plans so far, one of which was finalized just today.

First, the team is going to the  Great Escape in July, the water and amusement park near Lake George. I’m exploring a boat ride on Lake George also. We plan to get them to the major summer movies, and there will be some regular soccer practice.

Ali has watched over these children for six or seven years now. He is especially proud of the soccer team, but also of the fact that every kid on the team is on the Honor Roll in their public schools. That is a great achievement. Ali emphasizes learning and hard work, and the  team has responded. No one can stay on the soccer team if their grades are not excellent.

So far, they are undefeated in one of their major indoor tournaments, they deserve some reward.

Our long-delayed tutoring program will kick off in the next few weeks also and we’ve identified a number of parks and day trips in the area, perhaps one to the Adirondack Animal Land. There is a drive through safari where they can see animals.

The team has already seen Infinity Two and Spiderman Two, we’ll get to all of the summer blockbusters. They haven’t yet asked to see Solo.

Today, I think we took the biggest and most important step. I reached an agreement with the Powell House, the wonderful and well-known and quite beautiful Quaker conference house and retreat center of the  New York Yearly Meeting. They have more than 50 beautiful acres just outside of Albany with a game and recreation center for children inside, and playgrounds, ponds, hiking trails and athletic fields outside.

My daughter Emma attended weekend youth retreats when she was young, and I volunteered there on a number of weekends. We both were struck by the loving and caring and very beautiful atmosphere there and the affirming and sensitive programs.

They have highly trained and experienced counselors on hand, and we planned a weekend retreat there in May, but that was delayed by bureaucratic and other difficulties. I did not quit on the idea. It is a joy to be reconnected with these wonderful people (I converted to Quakerism when I was 14, and have held my membership in the Montclair Monthly Meeting in New Jersey. I hope to stay a member there for the rest of my life.)

This morning, I reached an agreement with Regina Baird Hagg, co-director of the Powell House for a series of visits by the team to the Powell House through July and August. She was gracious and helpful with the cost.

We set up three-hour visits. The team can get out of the hot summer sun and off some troubled streets and swim at the Powell House in their beautiful pond, or go inside and use the recreation room, which has a library and a big ping-pong table.

Or they can go outside and practice soccer or play basketball or hike in the woods.

They will also get some  healthy snacks.

This is a beautiful and closely supervised place for them to go, a place where they can be free, be themselves and  be safe.

Ali is concerned about them having too much time on their hands, their parents don’t have cars or the time or money for vacations. The Powell House will help.

Ali is planning to be available five or six days a week  to keep his beloved team together and engaged, and I will help out whenever I can. His commitment to these children, many of who have suffered terribly in their lives, is infectious. I caught it. I hope some of you will also.

This was an intense process, with many phone calls and lots of negotiations.

But I feel we are set now, for the summer. I know there will be some surprises.

I’m sending a $500 check off to the Powell House, and I am grateful for their support, they are eager to be a place of refuge and recreation and learning for the soccer team, this is very valuable to connection to make for these children.

The Quakers have a long and rich history of working with refugees and helping and supporting them. I think they will be a profound resource for these kids. I hope one day Risse, the refugee and immigrant center, will also see fit to connect with them and bring their wonderful resources to all of the refugees and immigrants in the area. The Powell House wants to help.

I have enough money for the Powell House visits, if any of you wish to help support this summer program for the soccer team, you can send a contribution to the Gus Fund,  c/o Jon Katz, Post Office Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816, or via Paypal, [email protected]. These children are an inspiration to me, it is a gift to be able to help them.